The Jeff Davis Parish School Board’s summer feeding program has been deemed a success, according to officials.

In the six weeks that the program ran, 41,000 free meal kits were distributed weekly to families throughout the parish through the USDA program. The pre-packaged boxes provided enough food for seven days of nutritional breakfast, lunch and snack options for those ages 0-18.

Superintendent John Hall commended school board employees and volunteers who worked through rain, wind storms, extreme heat and high humidity to get the meal kits into the hands of local families.

“Our employees did an outstanding job providing food boxes to families,’ Hall said. “This was the first summer we had it, so they went in not knowing how the day was going to unfold, how many people would show up and not knowing how car lines would work.”

School Child Nutrition Supervisor Tina Coleman said the program was another successful mission because of those who helped the food service department set up and distribute the weekly meals. “I put it out there and they jumped in feet forward,” Coleman said. “They showed up and they showed out. I just want to say thank you publicly to each and every one of you. We appreciate everything you do for us every day.”

During a school board meeting last week, the board presented certificates of appreciation to more than 100 volunteers including food service employees, school staff, students and community members for helping to ensure children were well fed this summer.

“As the board, we appreciate all of the work that y’all do daily and over the summer,” school board member and Food Service Committee Chairman Greg Patterson said.